“You quit your boss, not your job.”
Have you ever heard of this saying? Many individuals can agree that they are perfectly content with their work even if it may be boring or soul-crushing. Said job gets them a steady paycheck and the flexibility to take a longer lunch on those payday Fridays.
The job duties outlined in the position description aren’t typically what puts people over the edge. Usually, the push to quit your job comes directly from who approves your timesheets every week – your boss. It is hard to continue coming to work every day when you and your boss don’t see eye to eye. When the going gets tough, and you move on to the next job, what happens with your old boss? We’re digging into the tough subject – how do you handle a relationship with a boss that you quit?
Once you’ve signed your new offer it becomes all too tempting to let the fires that you used to put out, burn into oblivion as you wait out the clock. Instead, use this time to connect with your boss and maintain this relationship as you never know when you will need a good reference in the future, and a strong reference from a previous supervisor can be what lands you that dream position. In your lame-duck period as you finish out your two-week notice, do the following:
Connect with your old boss on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. It gives you an easy way to connect regardless of your next roles.
Thank them! At least some of the time in your role hasn’t been horrible. Be verbal and thank them for their support and guidance in the time you’ve been in that organization.
Don’t unleash the beast in the exit interview. Stay cordial and share only constructive feedback while highlighting some benefits of the organization. Remember that without your current position even though you’re leaving it, you may not have been able to achieve the next step you’re moving onto.
KIT: Keep in touch. Find a talking point or discussion topic for future points of contact, this can be helpful in reaching back out later.
